Agouti is a short-tailed, plant-eating rodent that lives in rainforests of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. There are about 13 different species of agouti. These fast-running animals live on the forest floor; when they sense danger, they freeze. These common mammals have a life span of 13 to 20 years. They mark their home territory using anal scent glands.
Agoutis have coarse brown to almost-black fur; each individual hair has many bands of color. Agoutis have a very short tail and small, rounded ears. They range from 16 to 24 inches (41-61 cm) long; the tiny tail is only 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.
Agoutis are herbivores (plant-eaters); they eat fruit, nuts, seeds, leaves, and roots. These rodents are seed dispersers (they scatter seeds around the forest).
